Police Department

Welcome to the Ashland Police DepartmentThe Ashland Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency that provides 24-hour service to its citizens. The Ashland Police Department works in partnership with theHanover County Sheriff's Officeto provide quality police services to its residents and businesses.

APD Scam Alert

Residents are reporting scammers “spoofing” (copying) APD’s main telephone number of 804-798-1227 to display in caller ID and asking for credit card information. This is NOT APD and we do not call anyone asking for information like this.

APD reminds residents to be vigilant against these and other phone scams and not give out any personal information or make payment arrangements over the phone or internet unless you have verified the other party is legitimate.

Residents with questions or concerns about phone scams can contact the Ashland Police Department at 804-798-1227.

Improper Solicitor Activity in Ashland

In the past few weeks, Ashland residents have made us aware of several instances involving non-permitted solicitors and in one case officers were able to locate them and handle the matter appropriately.

In some instances, these individuals have displayed Solicitors’ Permits issued by Hanover County. These permits do not authorize them to work in Town.

Anyone encountering a solicitor in a residential area without an Ashland Solicitors’ Permit should call 911 and have an officer respond immediately to identify the individuals and address the situation.

The 2016 Ashland PD Annual Report is now available.

Click here to learn more about APD and our activities and efforts in 2016.

Town of Ashland Announces Initiatives to Improve Safety at Rail Crossings

The past week has seen some extraordinary activity at grade crossings within the Town of Ashland. For more information about these incidents and the Town's initiative to improve safety at rail crossings, click here.

Rail safety is everyone’s concern and we offer the following safety tips courtesy of Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org):

• Trains and cars don't mix. Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.
• The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
• Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That's 18 football fields!
• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the emergency number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
• If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle. If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. If you run in the same direction a train is traveling, you could be injured by flying debris.
• At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
• When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail.
• ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

Prescription Drug Disposal

Looking for a way to dispose of old and unneeded prescription medications safely? Bremo Pharmacy in Richmond is an approved medication take-back site. For more information click here for Bremo's website or call (804) 288-8361.

Ashland Lodging Ordinance RevisionFrequently Asked Questions

The much discussed changes to the Town's Lodging Ordinance go into effect on July 1, 2016. You can find the answers to these frequently asked questions about the Ordinance changes here..

Preventing Identity Theft

If your wallet, purse or personal identity information has been stolen or lost consider the following steps to protect yourself:

Identify what was in your wallet. Consider all cards and information, not just credit cards and driver´s license. Was your Social Security card or number in your wallet?

Place a fraud alert with each credit reporting agency if your social security number or credit/debit cards are involved:

Monitor your credit report and review it for unauthorized account openings or any fraudulent address information. Contact any unrecognized creditors for any unauthorized accounts immediately.

Contact all credit issuers to request replacement cards with new account numbers.

Monitor bills for any fraudulent activity on any accounts.

If you have lost a check cashing card, checkbook, savings account information or debit (ATM) cards, close the account and open a new account with a new number.

Password protect all compromised accounts so that additional names and addresses cannot be added without authorization.

Keep a log of all correspondence and conversations. Keep copies of correspondence.

If your driver’s license was stolen, go to Virginia DMV for information on replacing it.

If you think you have become a victim of identity theft go to the Virginia Attorney General's Website for resources from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office on how to prevent further damage.

If you have lost a supermarket club card, cancel the card and request a new one.

For all other lost/missing information, including library or video rental cards or any other cards with membership or insurance coverage information, contact the issuing company, notify them of the loss and request a new card.

JOIN US FOR "COFFEE WITH A COP"Our "Coffee with a Cop" program provides an opportunity for the Ashland Police Department and community members to come together to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. Coffee with a Cop provides a unique forum for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Ashland’s neighborhoods.

APD plans to host Coffee with a Cop meetings regularly to build partnerships in our community. For more information click here.

The Ashland Police Department wants to remind our community that disasters can strike at any time and anyplace. We want our community to prepare themselves and their family so that they will be ready should a disaster strike. Below are three steps that everyone should take to prepare for an emergency.